Story Notes: I'm getting into this story now. By the time this chapter is published, I'll likely be finishing off the final chapters. At the moment I'm guessing this will end up being at least 20 chapters long. That will make this story the longest I've ever written. Some of the music suggestions may be a little strange. Music allows me to visualize situations and characters. This is also music I will listen to all the time. I adore music. Please enjoy and follow, favourite and review.

Chapter Summary: Tintin strives to escape the clutches of the Bordurian Army, but he doesn't know how to do it. Will he succeed, or will he remain trapped and be brought back to the Bordurian Capital to await an unknown fate?

Suggested Music:

1. Rabenflug - Bannkreis

2. Bold and Brave - Secession Studios

3. We Are Warriors - Secession Studios

4. Mad World (Instrumental) - Within Temptation (This is the track I used the moment the fight kicks off outside the mansion)

Chapter 9

Tintin grunted in discomfort as he attempted to squeeze his hands from the bonds keeping him tied firmly to the chair. Groaning in frustration, he angrily huffed.

Come on!

I need to get out of here!

He didn't know what they were doing to Dr Krikov and under no circumstances would he let Krikov suffer for something that had nothing to do with him. Gritting his teeth, he attempted to loosen the bonds again. The rope only burnt further into his skin, forming rings of red skin around his wrists. Willing to put up with the pain he preserved, coming close to screaming as he fought with all his strength to free himself. Once his hands were free, he could untie the rope around his waist and feet.

I should be on a plane to Belgium right now. What will Haddock do when we don't show?

Questions continued to ravage Tintin's mind in the silence of the room.

As a series of noises echoed through the ventilator shaft, Tintin's efforts ceased. They continued around the room, and as Tintin's eye's followed the ventilation, he swallowed nervously.

What is this? Another method of psychological torture?

Tintin gazed around the room and narrowed his eyes, focusing on the noises surrounding him. All of a sudden, a soft whine broke through the bangs and Tintin froze.

"Snowy?"

An excited bark followed, echoing in the ventilation. After a short pause, a final bang reverberated behind, followed by a yelp.

"Snowy!"

Snowy jumped onto his master's lap, immediately licking his face.

"It's good to see you too, boy," Tintin chuckled. "See if you chew through the ropes,"

Snowy leapt back down. His soft fur brushed against his skin as Snowy began to gnaw through the tight rope wrapped around his wrists. As the pressure slackened bit by bit, Tintin pulled, snapping the last threads of cord attaching him to the chair. Tintin gasped with relief as he moved to release the remaining bonds, snapping them off with ease.

Time to leave, I need to get out of Borduria. How on earth am I going to get out of here? It's a fortress, Tintin considered.

Tintin quietly sneaked towards the door, quickly scanning what he could see of the corridor through the small door window. As his heart rate increased and pounded inside his head, he wrapped his hand around the handle and opened the door. He exhaled softly at the sight of the empty corridor. He stepped forward briskly, breathing deeply with each step, following the passageway.

Tintin desperately tried to identify which way the men had brought him down.

A sudden click of boots prompted Tintin and Snowy to dive for cover next to a door. Tintin slapped his hand over his mouth, trying to prevent them from detecting his accelerated breathing. The officer's clicks reverberated even closer as he advanced, getting closer with every step. Then they halted. Tintin kept still. His heart almost ceased.

"Hmm, Your hearing things," The officer grumbled.

Tintin wasn't sure just how much more he could take. As the officer paced away, Tintin decided to follow, hoping the officer would lead to Dr Krikov. He still had no idea how they were both going to escape. He concluded he would have to improvise to stay alive. Tintin and Snowy lingered close to the wall. Hiding, he peered around another corner to see the officer in conversation with another. They were conversing in English. Despite the distance, Tintin was able to make out the majority of the conversation.

"Have you heard what happened with that reporter?"

"Why what happened?"

"According to what I heard from Colonel Sietz he's going to be a right handful. Do You think he knows what's coming?"

"I hope not Colonel Sietz despises it when they know what's coming,"

As they chuckled, Tintin's mind wandered a little in terror.

What is Colonel Sietz going to do to us?

"What about him there?" The officer asked, motioning to the door beside him.

Krikov, thank goodness.

"I don't know. I think the doctor will follow Tintin back to the capital. Sponz has a surprise in store for Tintin,"

As one of the officers paced away from the door, Tintin readied himself.

It's all or nothing. I'm not staying around to find out what this surprise is.

Without hesitation, Tintin rushed from his hiding place, hitting the officer straight in the face. He fell to the floor with a clatter. Searching the officer's pockets he discovered the key with ease, immediately thrusting it into the lock. Opening the door, he came face to face with a rather shocked Dr Krikov.

"Tintin?"

Dr Krikov's bindings slipped off without much effort.

"Come on let's go,"

Tintin, Krikov and Snowy hurried out of the room, grabbing the gun from the unconscious officer on the way out. Tintin didn't like guns, but he didn't have a choice. The officers would almost certainly open fire on them.

"How are we going to get out of here? There are soldiers everywhere" Krikov murmured.

"I don't know,"

"You do have a plan ... right,"

"I'm improvising. We can't just walk out the front door,"

Before he could speak, he pulled Krikov into a cupboard, narrowing escaping a large patrol.

"Tintin we've been wandering through these hallways, and I haven't seen so much as a staircase" Krikov exclaimed. Tintin couldn't help but agree, but as thick material brushed against his arm, his curiosity overwhelmed him, and he couldn't help but investigate. As his fingers traced the rough material, he turned slightly, marvelling at the sight of what surrounded him.

"Maybe we can walk out the front door" Tintin exclaimed, motioning to the contents of the cupboard.

Krikov's eyes widened in shock.

"Uniforms. Wow"

"And you can speak Bordurian. We have a good chance,"

"How optimistic are you?" Krikov inquired.

"Erm .. 50/50. There's no other option,"

x

After getting appropriately attired They began their long trek to freedom, hoping their disappearance had gone unperceived. Although at least they would blend in. Unfortunately in the moment, Tintin forgot about Snowy. Luckily he'd managed to help Snowy escape through a small window at the back of the cupboard that fortunately led straight outside. Tintin had told him to head to the front of the house and wait for them. Tintin hoped Snowy would still be able to recognise him in the stiff Khaki uniform. He never thought he'd end up wearing this kind of uniform, but it was only temporary. Even the hat seemed a little bit too big for him. He hoped it wouldn't slide off or blow away with the wind. Granted it wasn't the first time he'd impersonated a soldier to remove himself from a dangerous situation, but it didn't ease his nerves. With a bit of luck, they managed to find the stairs and just as predicted nobody noticed them.

Tintin fought hard to stop himself from smiling.

I can understand the problem with uniforms people stop looking at faces, Tintin silently deliberated. As they passed through the door, Tintin breathed with relief. Just as they cleared the steps, a sudden voice broke the tranquillity of Tintin's mind.

"Hey! You two!"

Tintin immediately stopped. Quickly gulping before turning around, he kept his hat down over his eyes so the uniformed officer couldn't see him. As he spoke, he deepened his voice a little more.

"Yes, Commander?"

"Neither of you has signed out," The officer stated, holding out a clipboard.

Taking the clipboard, Tintin located a low ranking officer, scrawling a barely recognizable signature in the hope that he wouldn't notice. Krikov followed suit. The officer quickly snatched the clipboard away, walking back to his post. Tintin and Krikov breathed a sigh of relief. They strode towards the many vehicles parked in front of the mansion. The soldiers scattered around the roadblock didn't pay them much attention. As they neared the area, Tintin desperately scoured the outside of the Mansion for Snowy. Before they could move the same soldier challenged them.

"Show me your ID, Corporal?"

We're going to get discovered

Tintin turned around, again keeping his head down, patting his jacket down. Before he could say a word, Krikov spoke in an attempt to cover him.

"He must have forgotten it,"

"Hold your tongue Private!" The Officer demanded. "You need to show ID to enter the premises. Obey my order and show me your ID's!"

As Snowy appeared behind the Officer ready to pounce, Tintin made up his mind.

So Much for stealth.

Snowy leapt biting the Officer in the leg as Tintin delivered a swift blow to the face. The Officer fell to the floor unconscious just as shouts escaped into the air.

"Stop those men!"

The soldiers fired as Tintin, Krikov and Snowy dived for cover next to a car. Even as bullets landed on either side of them they clambered into the car. Luck seemed to be on their side; the keys had been left in the car. Tintin didn't hesitate to turn the key, reversing sharply and pulling out.

Bullets shattered the back window as Tintin hit the accelerator, demolishing the barricade and headed straight back onto the main country roads. The police army vehicles followed them, pursuing them as they navigated the twisty roads. The car hit an unfortunate bump flipping open the glove compartment in the process, revealing several grenades. Tintin's eyes widened even as he tried to keep up the speed.

"Why are these in here?" Asked Krikov as he examined one.

"Great snakes put those down! Although... Quick switch places with me and pass me the grenades!"

"What?" Krikov squirmed. "Are you insane?"

Tintin didn't give him a chance to answer. Krikov stretched over as Tintin eased himself into the back seat to join Snowy. The car swerved momentarily across the road as Krikov struggled to control the vehicle. Once he had the vehicle under control Tintin's job became a lot easier.

"Speed up on my mark!"

Taking a deep breath, everything came into focus. Leaning out, Tintin braved the bullet's flying past him, firing at the tyres. As the van tyres burst, spurting out air, Tintin took his chance throwing the grenades onto the road.

"Now!"

As the grenades exploded Metres away from the trucks, the smoke and fire shrouded them in a haze of red and orange hues. Krikov sped off deep into the countryside, following Tintin's instructions once they reached a crossroads. They would never be able to find them now.

x

Sietz sat in his office, contemplating what his next order may be. He didn't need to wait long. As an inferior officer marched in, his eyes narrowed.

"Sir, we have it,"

"Excellent, contact everyone available. We will meet him there,"

Note: the car is similar to the one that Tintin escaped from Alcazar in The Broken Ear. This chapter took ages to write, so I had to remove the other scene I had planned. As a result, the beginning of the next chapter may be a bit strange. It links to something mentioned at the beginning of the chapter and will bring in events that are yet to occur in the second half of the story.